TANZANIA: INDIAN OCEAN SEA WAVE POWER ON HORIZON

Tanzania and Finland have formed an economic partnership in renewable energy particularly sea wave energy with a view to addressing electricity shortages.

The agreement between the two countries was signed in Finland by the Minister of Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo, the Finnish Minister for International Development, Mr Pekka Haavisto and the Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ms Lenita Toivakka.

Prof Muhongo told the 'Daily News' by phone from Finland that the move to tap sea wave energy from the Indian Ocean was already underway and that a Finnish firm would come to Tanzania to carry out a feasibility study.

"A Finnish company, Waveroller, has agreed to carry out a feasibility study on generating electricity from the Indian Ocean waves on the shorelines of Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Zanzibar," he said.

Prof Muhongo pointed out that once the project goes through, it is expected that between 500 and 1,000MW of electricity will be generated. "The company is welcomed in the country to conduct feasibility study and by October 16 we will assess the viability of this project," he said.

The agreement between the two parties also touched on other areas including other forms of renewable energy, mining and postgraduate training for Tanzanian students in Finland.

He said that the two parties have given each other up to October 16 to know the exact projects that will be implemented under the agreement.

"I have asked for 10 scholarships for our youths for next year and I will know the outcome of this request and other projects by October 16," said Prof Muhongo.

The minister said that Tanzania still had room for more investors in various sectors. "There is no giving up. We will strive to make sure that Tanzania ranks among countries that have robust economy," said Prof Muhongo.

According to a statement posted on the website of the Finnish government, other issues which will be discussed during Minister Muhongo's visit, apart from development of the renewable energy, mining and education, include sustainable use of natural resources and trade opportunities between the two nations.

According to the statement, Minister Muhongo is scheduled also to meet representatives of businesses and industry as well as researchers and scientists.

He will also be exposed to the operations of the Geological Survey of Finland and will visit a gold mine in Kittilä.

A cooperation document between the geological survey institutions of Tanzania and Finland will be signed during the minister's visit.

Finland supports the efforts of the Tanzanian government to reduce poverty and to meet the objectives of the development vision. This year Finland's support to Tanzania amounts to 29 million Euros (about 60.9bn/-).